Daily Scripture: From today’s Collect ‘O Lord, we beseech you mercifully to hear the prayers of your people who call upon you; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil them…’Daily Reflection: Most of us genuinely want to ‘do the right thing’, but discerning what is the right thing is not always easy. We need only to consider the dilemmas faced by governments in the face of the present pandemic to realise the truth of this. In how far is it possible, for example, to safeguard both the health of the nation and the economy? If compromises have to be found, on what basis should they be made? It is an unenviable position for decision makers to find themselves in.In our own lives, too, it is not always clear what we should do for the best. And so we pray that we, as well as our leaders. may perceive what should be done, and that by God’s grace we may be strengthened to do it.Revd Rosemary
Weekly news and services for the Benefice of Benenden & Sandhurst, Kent.Sunday Services: Sunday 27th September8 am Holy Communion at St George's, Benenden led by Revd David Commander10am HARVEST Holy Communion at St Nicholas, Sandhurst led Revd David Commander
Daily Scripture:‘As the deer pants for streams of water,so my soul pants for you, O God.My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.When can I go and meet with God?’ (Psalm 42 1-2)Daily Reflection: I have a vision in my mind of a majestic animal, a deer, standing at the side of a stream, drinking in the cool water to quench its thirst. How amazing it must be to be able to drink in the pure unadulterated water of a mountain stream. How amazing it would be to be able to drink in the pure unadulterated love of God and to be washed clean with His forgiveness. When can I go and meet with God? The answer is now! God is waiting for you to drink from the stream, to accept his love and to live with Him as your constant companion.Lyn Hayes, ALM
Daily Scripture‘Be my strong rock, a fortress to save me, for you are my rock and my stronghold; guide me, and lead me for your name’s sake. Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.’ (Psalm 31:3 & 5)Daily Reflection The Psalmist calls out to God to be his rock, his fortress, his stronghold; the firm foundation on which he can stand and depend in the face of everything life throws at him. “Into your hands I commend my spirit”; shows complete trust in God. Jesus used the same words as he was dying on the cross – showing his absolute dependence on his Father. The first Christian martyr, Stephen, said these words too; confident he was simply passing from God’s earthly care to God’s eternal care. The Psalmist, Jesus, and Stephen all had total trust in God the Father. Can we make that commitment: “Into your hands I commend my spirit”? I pray we too have the faith and courage to say and mean those words today.Revd David
